Old Town Walking Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Old Town Walking Tour worth booking?
Old Town Walking Tour is a 1.5-hour experience in San Diego, United States, from $129 per person. It scores 46 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 46 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (3)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $129 per person
Your Old Town Walking Tour is very much like taking a step back into history. To see San Diego as it was during the very beginning of the city. From the first Mission of Father Junipero Serra, to the expedition of Gaspar
What you get
About this experience
Your Old Town Walking Tour is very much like taking a step back into history. To see San Diego as it was during the very beginning of the city. From the first Mission of Father Junipero Serra, to the expedition of Gaspar de Portola, and the history of our entire city. The backstories along with the back drop of Old Town sparks the imaginations of the guests and literally takes you back in time. Known as the birthplace of San Diego and all of California, Old Town is a cultural hotspot. With stunning views of Mission Bay from the top of Presidio Park, to the smells of fresh-cooking Mexican cuisine and the beautiful Spanish architecture below, the Old Town Tour abounds with the vibe and flair for which Spanish and Mexican cultures are known.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- Bottled water
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego has a quaint atmosphere, streets filled with the historic culture of the many traditions left behind. This historic area includes three major parks and sits next to the State Park with 32 historic sites, shops and the Presidio, the site of the first mission.
30 minutes here
Whaley House Museum
The Whaley House is a Greek Revival–style residence and museum in Old Town, San Diego, California. It is the oldest brick structure in Southern California, built in 1857. It is a California Historical Landmark No. 65 and is currently maintained by Historic Tours of America, Inc.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
El Campo Santo Cemetery
El Campo Santo Cemetery, meaning "holy field" in Spanish, is a historic Roman Catholic cemetery in San Diego's Old Town, established in 1849 and used until 1880, now a small, but significant, part of the city's history.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
The Church of the Immaculate Conception in San Diego's Old Town is a historic Catholic church, a significant landmark in the city's history, and the site of the first Catholic parish in California.
5 minutes here
Presidio Park
Presidio Park in San Diego is a 40-acre historic park located on a hill overlooking Old Town, preserving the site of the first European settlement in what is now the West Coast of the United States, founded in 1769.
10 minutes here
Junipero Serra Museum
Built in 1928, the Junípero Serra Museum is a regional landmark and sits on one of the most significant historical sites on the West Coast.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Bazaar del Mundo
Shoppers will also love the vibrant tabletop and kitchen products, worldwide imported ceramics, and quality crafts and folk art from Mexico.
5 minutes here
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a state protected historical park in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego, California. The park commemorates the early days of San Diego; it includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. The park was established in 1968.
10 minutes here
Heritage County Park
Heritage County Park in San Diego is a charming county park adjacent to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, featuring restored Victorian homes and Temple Beth Israel, the city's first synagogue.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Diego
We will meet in front of the Whaley House Museum.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We will meet in front of the Whaley House Museum.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Another Side Of San Diego Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Old Town Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very disappointed and seemed like a rip off
Not at all worth the money. Didn’t go into any of the buildings. Many of the sights were not open during the weekday. Not sure how you can possibly justify the fee for the tour
Response from the operator: Shari, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I have to say that we were very surprised and disappointed to read this review, particularly because your tour was led by one of the absolute best and most knowledgeable tour guides in our entire company. Our Old Town Walking Tour is first and foremost a historical tour, and an enormous amount of San Diego history, architecture, culture, and local storytelling is covered during the experience. During your tour, the group visited and/or explored numerous important historic locations, including the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Casa de Machado y Silvas, the Robinson-Rose Visitor Center, the historic cemetery, and Casa de Carrillo, among other significant sites throughout Old Town. It is also important to clarify that we do not own, operate, or control the historic buildings within Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The State of California determines which buildings are open to the public and their operating hours. Unfortunately, since COVID, a number of buildings have operated on reduced schedules or remained closed at various times, particularly during weekdays. This is completely outside of our control. What we absolutely can control is the quality of our guide and the historical experience we provide, and I am extremely confident that you received an exceptional amount of historical information from one of the finest guides in San Diego. I truly wish you had contacted me directly before posting that the tour was a “rip off.” We are a small, family-run company that takes tremendous pride in our guests' experiences, and had you reached out to me personally, I would have welcomed the opportunity to discuss your concerns and see what I could do to make things right. We certainly understand that every experience will not meet every guest's expectations, but I do believe it is important for future readers to understand the distinction between the historical tour we provide and the operating decisions of the State Historic Park, which are entirely beyond our control. All The Best, Kenneth C. Lippman President & CEO Another Side Tours, Inc.
via Tripadvisor
Old Town tour
Magda was a great tour guide. Tour was fun, informative and we'll paced. The tequilas and the tacos were pretty good too.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a great time exploring Old Town with Magda. She is an outstanding guide, and we are so glad you found the tour fun, informative, and well paced. Of course, no Old Town experience would be complete without some great tacos and tequila along the way! Thank you for choosing Another Side Tours, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another adventure with us in San Diego, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas. All The Best, Kenneth Another Side Tours
via Tripadvisor
Excellent guide on top spots
We can only say that it was a private tour by chance and we had even more luck with an excellent guide like Julia. She is so funny and knowledgeable we had an amazing time and my favorite spot is hard to pick , but I would go back to the art space. She explained everything what we wanted in a funny way she made the time fly by! We loved it and she made our day in San Diego.
Response from the operator: Hi Roswitha, Thank you so much for this wonderful review. We are thrilled to hear that your Old Town Walking Tour turned into such a special private experience and that Julia made the day so memorable for you. Julia is truly a fantastic guide, and we love hearing that her humor, knowledge, and storytelling made the time fly by. Old Town has so many incredible corners to discover, and we are especially happy that the art space stood out as one of your favorite spots. Thank you again for choosing Another Side Of San Diego Tours. We would be absolutely delighted to welcome you back anytime for another great experience in San Diego, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas. All The Best, Kenneth Another Side Of San Diego Tours
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 46
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Old Town Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Diego.
How much does Old Town Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $129 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Diego usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Old Town Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Diego is not rushed.
Is Old Town Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 46 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Diego, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Old Town Walking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Old Town Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Old Town Walking Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Diego can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Diego and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Old Town Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Diego within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Diego?
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San Diego is an outdoor-first city: whale watching from December through April, La Jolla kayak and snorkel runs year round, harbour cruises and the USS Midway, plus Balboa Park museums when the marine layer sits low. We rank water operators on group ratios and gear quality, which is where the cheap La Jolla trips fall down. On Outty we rank every San Diego experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date, Taste of Little Italy in San Diego, San Diego Whale Watching Cruise. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
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March to May and September to November, either side of the June overcast. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Diego?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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